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While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the LIHEAP program and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
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The Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals and support, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are found to be at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Arkansas is administered through the Arkansas Department of Health.
Learn more about WIC in Arkansas on the Department of Health WIC page here.
WIC assists women and children by providing nutrition assistance and health support. If you are eligible for WIC, you will be able to access the following services:
Monthly nutrition assistance benefits are placed on an eWIC card. The eWIC cards are issued to eligible participants after they are approved for the program.
After you receive your eWIC card, you will have to set up your account. Call the State WIC Office at (501) 661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599. You will need to select a Personal Identification Number (PIN) to complete the setup.
The eWIC card functions like a debit card, allowing participants to swipe their card and enter their PIN to complete a transaction at participating vendors. You can find stores that accept WIC benefits near you by downloading the WICShopper App here.
The WICShopper App also provides information on all the food items you can purchase with your WIC benefits.
To learn more about WIC services in Arkansas, click here.
After you are accepted into the WIC program, you will be assigned a specific food package category by the Arkansas Department of Health. The food package you will be assigned is dependent on:
For women and children, each food package comes with a set list of covered food items and the maximum amount of the food item that will be covered by the program (in ounces or fluid ounces) each month. Items included in food packages for women and children are:
Infant food packages are provided in the same level of detail but vary based on the age of the infant and how they are fed (breastfed vs. formula fed). Covered food items based on these factors include:
Learn more about WIC Food Packages and Maximum Monthly Allowances here.
To be eligible for WIC in Arkansas, you must meet the following requirements:
The WIC income limits are based on the number of members in your household and are categorized by time period. Gross income refers to the total earnings before any taxes are imposed. There is a weekly, a monthly and an annual income limit that households must meet. They are as follows:
| Household Members | Gross Income/Week | Gross Income/Month | Gross Income/Year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | $484 | $2,096 | $25,142 |
| 2 | $652 | $2,823 | $33,874 |
| 3 | $820 | $3,551 | $42,606 |
| 4 | $988 | $4,279 | $51,338 |
Note that pregnant women count as two people within a household. For each additional person in your household, add $8,732 per year to determine your income limit.
For more information about WIC eligibility, visit the Arkansas Public Health page here.
To test your eligibility for WIC benefits, use the WIC Prescreening Tool here. Using the WIC Prescreening Tool is not an application.
To apply for WIC in Arkansas, complete the following three steps:
Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your local county health unit. Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.
Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your local county health unit or call the State WIC Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST:
The WIC certification appointment is the applicant’s first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits. During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.
Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:
All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.
After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.
For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.
If you apply for WIC in Arkansas, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will learn whether you have been approved or denied at the appointment.
However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.
Learn more about the Waiting List here.
Learn more about the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.
After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a local WIC clinic, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.
If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your check or eWIC card in the mail within 14 days of being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods. For information on what foods you can purchase with your WIC benefits, click here.
You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:
Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Arkansas WIC FAQ page here.
If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Arkansas Department of Health in person or by phone within 60 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local county health unit. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest Arkansas local health unit location here.
To file a claim by phone, call the State WIC Office at (501) 661-2508. Be prepared to provide the following information:
Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Arkansas WIC Participant Rights and Responsibilities PDF provided by the Arkansas Department of Health here.
If your eWIC card is lost, stolen or damaged, you must contact your local WIC clinic. Your card will be placed on the Hot Card List. After a three-day waiting period, you will be issued a replacement.
Learn more about the eWIC card here.
For help with obtaining WIC benefits, or for any further questions about the program, call the Arkansas WIC Program State Office at (501) 661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599 (toll-free).
You can also visit or call a local WIC clinic for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.
If you have questions about your eWIC card, call the State WIC Office at (501) 661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599 (toll-free).
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and these answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to provide you useful information on the process to help you get the benefits you need.
Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.
Table of Contents
The Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) provides federal grants to states for supplemental foods, health care referrals, and nutrition education for low-income pregnant, breastfeeding, and non-breastfeeding postpartum women, and to infants and children up to age five who are at nutritional risk. The WIC program in Arkansas is administered through the Arkansas Department of Health.
To apply for WIC in Arkansas, complete the following three steps:
Learn if you may be eligible for WIC benefits by using the WIC Prescreening Tool here.
Learn what documents and information you need here.
You must schedule a WIC certification appointment at a WIC clinic to apply. To set up an appointment by phone, call your local county health unit. Your eligibility for WIC benefits will be verified during your appointment.
Click here to find your nearest local WIC clinic and contact information.
If you have questions about the application process or require assistance, contact your local county health unit or call the State WIC Office Monday through Friday from 8:00 AM to 4:30 PM CST:
Note: Currently, in-person applications have been suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic. To schedule an appointment, call your local county health unit or the State WIC Office at 501-661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599 to submit an application remotely.
The WIC certification appointment is the applicant’s first appointment at a WIC clinic. The purpose of the certification appointment is to determine your eligibility for WIC benefits. During the certification appointment, applicants will meet with a WIC representative and present all the necessary documents to apply for WIC benefits.
Applicants should bring the following documents to their WIC certification appointment:
All applicants, including the mother and all eligible children, must be present at the appointment.
After providing the necessary documentation, trained staff at the WIC clinic will conduct a health exam on each of the applicants to determine if they are at medical or nutritional risk. The assessment will include a blood test, a health questionnaire and measurements of their height and weight.
For more information on what to bring to your WIC appointment, click here.
If you apply for WIC in Arkansas, your eligibility will be determined during your certification appointment at the WIC clinic. You will learn whether you have been approved or denied at the appointment.
However, if your location does not have sufficient funds to serve all eligible applicants, you may be put on a waiting list to receive benefits. In this situation, applicants will receive benefits based on a priority system that gives those in most need earlier access to benefits.
Learn more about the Waiting List here and the WIC Eligibility Priority System here.
After you set up your WIC appointment and apply for benefits at a local WIC clinic, your eligibility will be determined by the representative who processes your application.
If you are approved for benefits, you will receive your check or eWIC card in the mail within 14 days of being approved. You can use these monetary benefits to purchase WIC-approved foods. For information on what foods you can purchase with your WIC benefits, click here.
You will also be able to access WIC clinic support programs right away, including:
Learn more information about WIC benefits and what to expect from the program on the Arkansas WIC FAQ page here.
If your WIC application was denied, you have the right to file an appeal. You can submit the appeal to the Arkansas Department of Health in person or by phone within 60 days of when you are notified about your ineligibility.
To file an appeal in person, visit a local county health unit. You will need to speak with a representative and tell them why you are appealing your determination. You will also need to bring your benefit determination letter and evidence that supports your appeal. Find your nearest Arkansas local health unit location here.
To file a claim by phone, call the State WIC Office at (501) 661-2508. Be prepared to provide the following information:
Learn more information about the appeal process by reviewing the Arkansas WIC Participant Rights and Responsibilities PDF provided by the Arkansas Department of Health here.
For help with obtaining WIC benefits, or for any further questions about the program, call the Arkansas WIC Program State Office at 501-661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599 (toll-free).
You can also visit or call a local WIC clinic for further assistance. Find your nearest location and contact information here.
If you have questions about your eWIC card, call the State WIC Office at 501-661-2508 or 1 (800) 462-0599 (toll-free).
While we are not affiliated with the government in any way, our private company engaged writers to research the Special Supplemental Nutrition Program for Women, Infants, and Children (WIC) and compiled a guide and the following answers to frequently asked questions. Our goal is to help you get the benefits that you need by providing useful information on the process.
Our free WIC Guide is filled with helpful information about how to apply, program eligibility and how to get in touch with local offices. You can view or download our free guide here.